Review: This Is No Ordinary Life

Why do they call themselves the “Exhale” Dance Tribe? My guess is that their dancing is so frenetic that the dancers must remind themselves to exhale whenever they get a half-second’s rest; otherwise, they would never get the chance. Exhale’s 2008 Fringe show, This is No Ordinary Life! at the CAC, is a product of the contemporary jazz group founded in 2000 in Cincinnati by Andrew Hubbard and Missy Lay Zimmer.

A company of 12 young women, the dancers exhibited a great deal of athleticism, verve, stage presence and good old-fashioned dance training. They also provided the audience with a good deal of eye candy — and I mean that in the best sense of the phrase.

The first number, “Grand Opening,” exhibited the company’s eclectic style: a combination of Jazz, Hip Hop and modern/contemporary, with some balletic moves thrown in for good measure. Body movements were generally large and fast, with an added emphasis on very specific gestures and animated faces. The overall feeling was upbeat and celebratory.

The company numbers were interspersed with several solo dances. One of these, “One Moment More,” was performed by Kristen Malarky, a long-limbed, elegant dancer with incredible balance and the ability to express deep emotions through face and movement. This piece was hindered somewhat by the dancer being more expressive than the mundane lyrics of the breathy Pop song she interpreted.

Many of the dance elements were repeated too often. Such movements as spinning and stopping abruptly, flopping to the floor from an erect position, jerking movements, fast gestures pushing out from the chest and suddenly thrusting out of a ballet position served the dancers well at first, but their effect on the audience weakened with repetition.

Fortunately, this signature style was broken up by a number of pieces that didn’t conform to it. My favorite was “Chambermaid Swing,” in which several dancers in pert little chambermaid uniforms executed a cocky, funny, almost Chaplinesque number as almost mechanical beings. There was humor, restraint and no lyrics to limit our imaginations.

“Through Your Eyes” was a moving solo danced by Ali Marconi. A slower dance, it was somewhat balletic and improvisatory in style, using elegant twirls and balancing moves. It was ultimately more affecting because the audience didn’t have to depend on words to tell them how to think and feel. The dance became a genuine search for an inexpressible something beyond.

This is No Ordinary Life was nevertheless an enjoyable evening crammed with astonishing young talent and vibrant energy. Additional variety would make it even more so.

— Mark Sterner